It was 10:30am, the sun is out and the heat is unbearable.
Some moms are gossiping about the recent scandals and political drama in the Philippines, some arguing over cheating rumors, some betting if it's true or not.
There are also men drinking beer with their friends in the morning, lounging outside their houses.
Padyak, tricycles, and private vehicles alike roll by the road every so often.
Amidst this normal atmosphere on Bagumbayan Street, today in particular—there's something new.
The moms gossiping? Stopped talking.
The men? Stopped drinking—one didn't stop pouring though, causing the beer to overflow.
The padyak, tricycles, and cars? Slowed down.
All of them looking at the same thing: Two absolute beauties walking together—a brown-haired young woman and a silver-haired young woman, side by side.
"Guh..."
Angel looked around warily.
"What's wrong?"
Maria asked, tilting her head to see Angel.
"It's uncomfortable to be stared at..."
Angel whined, glancing at Maria.
"Pfft~ Right?? You'll get used to it. Plus, people don't really mean anything by it. It's because you're cute, that's why they stare."
"C-Cute?"
Angel blushed a bit, looking away.
「Why cute?? really?! I'm not cute」
Angel thought to herself, sneaking a glance at Maria.
"You don't really believe me when I say you're cute?"
"A little bit..."
"I'm hurt~"
Maria feigned offense dramatically.
The two young women continued walking from Bagumbayan to Centro, trading teases and small talk along the way.
"We're here in Centro."
Maria announced, speeding up a little before turning around, hands playfully tucked behind her back.
"Since we're here, why don't we eat at Mang Inasal?"
She tilted her head sideways, grinning.
"Mang Inasal? I love that!"
Angel leaned forward, eyes sparkling.
"Really? That's good then! Shall we go?"
Maria asked, extending her hand.
Angel looked at her hand, then up at her face. Maria smiled.
"Uh... I dunno..."
Angel muttered, hesitant.
"You can hold my hand. Don't be shy~"
Angel slowly moved her hand, stopping halfway... then took Maria's.
「Warm」
She thought.
And just like that—tug!—as if her soul might get left behind.
"Come!! I'm getting hungry!"
"Guh—W-Wait!"
Angel's voice got swallowed by Maria's excitement as she was dragged across the street to Mang Inasal.
As the two entered, the place fell silent. All eyes on them. Audible gasps. Some people sneakily taking pictures.
"Don't worry too much~ Your ate is here."
Maria offered a calm smile. Angel nodded. Right... Maria was here. She didn't have to suffer through the stares alone.
A few minutes passed, and the restaurant returned to its usual bustle.
The two lined up, a few others ahead, quietly placing their orders.
"What do you want to eat?"
Maria asked.
"Uhm..."
Angel squinted at the menu.
"I think I'll have... a one-piece chicken?"
She looked at Maria.
"Okay, as for me... I think I'll go with pork sisig."
"Oh? Pork sisig is nice."
Angel nodded in agreement.
"Righttt~?"
Maria replied in turn with a smile,
Before they knew it, they were already next in line.
"What can I get for you—"
The cashier froze mid-sentence, momentarily lost in thought as he stared at the two beautiful young women.
Then he gave his head a little shake.
"What can I get for you po?"
He asked again, nervously, with a smile.
Angel smiled back politely,
But deep down, she really didn't want to be the one ordering. She was used to her mom doing it for her. So instead, she glanced at Maria and gave her sleeve a little tug.
"Ate.."
Angel said in a small, soft voice.
Seeing Angel rely on her made Maria's heart flutter—just a little pink rising to her ears.
Maria nodded and stepped forward.
"I would like to order a one-piece chicken with rice... and then pork sisig."
The cashier began punching in the order.
"That would be 350php, ma'am."
Maria handed over a 500php bill, and the cashier gave her the change and the table number.
After that, she turned to Angel, who seemed to be looking around, a little fidgety.
"Hm?? What's wrong this time?"
Angel blinked, then smiled sheepishly.
"Ah! Nothing, I was just looking for vacant seats while you were ordering food."
"Ohh, I see.. thank you, Angel."
Angel nodded.
"Well, I haven't really seen any vacant seats yet."
"Ahh, so that's why you were getting nervous."
Angel looked away, scratching her cheek with a finger.
"Hehe.. yeah."
"Why don't we go find seats together?"
Maria smiled at her.
"Ah, yeah.. let's go do that."
The two young women made their way to the second floor—thankfully, there was a vacant seat.
As they sat down, Angel found herself scanning Maria's face.
Maria... Maria had been her friend since childhood.
Back then, she didn't think of Maria that way. Even in high school...
But why did it feel different now?
Seeing Maria be so dependable, so caring, always taking the lead...
Why did her heart flutter like this?
Angel stared, caught in a silent trance.
But after a few minutes, her smile faded.
Maria took the initiative. She paid. She chose the place.
Angel hadn't done anything. She wasn't... manly at all. She could only follow.
As Angel fell deeper into her thoughts, Maria turned to her—immediately catching the look on her face.
「Joseph's little sister is so interesting... her mood changes ever so often」
Maria thought to herself.
She didn't want to be nosey... but seeing Angel sad didn't sit right with her either.
"What's wrong?"
Angel flinched a little.
"O-Oh... it's nothing... I just thought that... I haven't been a good friend, I guess. I mean—you paid for the food, you picked the restaurant... I haven't planned anything at all."
She confessed, eyes downcast, fists clenched slightly on her lap as tears began to form.
But before they could fall—
A warm hand rested on her shoulder.
Angel looked up.
Maria was looking at her, eyes gentle.
"Don't worry. You are a good friend. If you hadn't come to my house, none of this would've even happened. So be more kind to yourself, okay?"
「Be more... kind to myself?」
Angel stared at her for a moment—then nodded.
"I see... thank you."
She gave a small, soft smile.